Press Releases
Brewster: Nearly $1.5 Million in Economic Development Grants Approved for Area Projects
McKeesport – September 15, 2020 – Nearly $1.5 million in grant funding has been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for nine projects in the area, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). “The ability to secure grant dollars...
Brewster’s Effort to Expand Restaurant Seating Capacity Wins Senate Committee Approval
McKeesport – Sept. 8, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) effort to safely increase indoor and outdoor seating for bars and restaurants moved forward today as the Senate Law and Justice Committee approved legislation to expand capacity. ...
Brewster Backs Local Decisions on Restarting High School Sports
McKeesport – Sept. 4, 2020 – Decisions on whether to restart interscholastic fall sports should be left to local school district officials, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today following his vote in support a bill that would leave it to school...
PA Senate Democrats & Small Businesses Rally Behind Legislation Supporting Business Interruption Insurance Claims
Harrisburg, PA – August 27, 2020 – Today, State Senators Iovino, Street, Brewster, Schwank, and Hughes joined members of the Commonwealth’s small business community via Zoom to advocate for bipartisan legislation that would help Pennsylvania businesses file claims on...
Sen. Brewster’s Plan to Eliminate Gifts for Lawmakers, Other Legislative Reforms, Gains Traction
McKeesport – August 25, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster’s (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) call for legislative reforms including a ban on gifts for lawmakers was endorsed today by Gov. Tom Wolf. Wolf unveiled his governmental reform and broader issue agenda for the fall and...
Brewster: $3.7 Million in Water, Sewer Grants Approved
McKeesport – August 19, 2020 – More than $3.7 million in state grant funding for water and sewer projects was approved for municipalities in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said. The Commonwealth Financing...
PA Senate Democrats & CDFI Network Announce $96 Million in Small Business Grants
Statewide, Pa. – August 10, 2020 – The Pennsylvania CDFI Network and the PA State Senator Democrats today announced $96 million in grant awards under the COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business AssistanStatewide, Pa. – August 10, 2020 – The Pennsylvania...
Sen. Brewster Announces $163,400 in State Emergency Relief Education Grants
McKeesport – August 7, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today announced five state pandemic relief grants totaling $163,400 to area schools. “These emergency funds will help these local schools continue to provide a quality educational curriculum during this...
Sen. Brewster Announces $658,370 in State Grant Funds for Area Schools
McKeesport – August 6, 2020 – State Senator Jim Brewster today announced eight state pandemic relief grants totaling $658,370 to area schools and technical colleges. “These emergency funds will help many of these schools remain active and viable as we continue to work...
Senators Jim Brewster & Pam Iovino Propose $100 Million COVID-19 Grant Program & Financial Relief Package for PA Restaurants & Taverns
Allegheny County, PA – July 23, 2020 – Today, State Senators Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino announced a comprehensive proposal to provide emergency relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns, which have seen significant financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. The seven-point plan includes a $100 million grant program to retail liquor licensees using federal CARES Act funds, as well as a suite of policy changes to financially benefit these struggling businesses.
Brewster: School Safety Committee Approves More Than $150 Million in CARES Funding
Harrisburg – June 16, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the School Safety and Security Committee approved the framework to distribute more than $150 million of a total of $215 million in federal CARES Act funding. “The action...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Brewster Decries Racism, Calls for Action to Address Social Injustice
McKeesport – June 3, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today released a statement decrying racism. He emphasized that there is a need to address social justice issues in the wake of the death of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in...
Turnpike Workers Treated Poorly in Layoff, Sen. Brewster says
McKeesport – June 4, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today criticized the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for laying off more than 500 workers with little warning in an extraordinarily difficult economy. “It’s an exceptionally poor way to...
Brewster: $215 Million in School Safety Grants Pass Senate
Harrisburg – May 28, 2020 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the Senate has passed legislation (House Bill 1210) to drive out nearly $215 million to help school districts pay for costs associated with protecting children, cleaning buildings...
Brewster Bill to Modernize Fish Code Approved by Committee
Harrisburg – May 28, 2020 – Legislation to modernize the Fish Code and help anglers comply with state licensure requirements was approved unanimously by the Senate’s Game and Fisheries Committee, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said. “The measure...
Senate Democrats Announce Main Street Business Revitalization Grant Program
Senators Jay Costa, Vince Hughes, John Blake, Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino today called for $550 million of funds allocated to Pennsylvania through the federal CARES act to be used for a program they are calling the Main Street Business Revitalization Initiative, which...
Bill to Exempt Federal Stimulus Payments from State and Local Taxation Clears Committee
McKeesport – May 11, 2020 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ version of legislation sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) to exempt federal coronavirus stimulus funds from state and local taxation cleared the state Senate...
Brewster Seeks Release of Federal Funds for First-Responder PPE, Critical Supplies
McKeesport – May 5, 2020 – More than $17 million in federal funds earmarked for the purchase of personal protection equipment (PPE), supplies and training in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be available through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and...
Brewster: Bill Requires that First Responders be Notified About Local COVID-19 Cases
McKeesport – April 29, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that he strongly backs legislation to require that 911 communication centers, police, fire and other first responders receive notification when a documented communicable...
Brewster: Federal Grant Funding Soon Available for First-Responder PPE, Supplies
McKeesport – April 23, 2020 – New federal grant funds to help first-responders secure life-saving personal protection equipment (PPE) and aid them in safely and securely responding to health emergencies will soon be available, state Sen. Jim Brewster...
Stimulus Funds Approved for Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin, Brewster says
McKeesport – April 20, 2020 – Nearly $160,000 in federal funding has been approved for the Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today. “The new federal funds are intended to help airports that have...
Brewster: COVID-19 Updates on Liquor Sales and Unemployment Compensation
McKeesport – April 20, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the state has opened a new way to access wine and spirits and activated a website that allows independent contractors and gig workers to file for unemployment...
Brewster Details Business Restart Strategy: “COVID-19 Health and Business Recovery Plan”
Testing, worker, client, customer protections, health care considerations remain as priorities McKeesport – April 16, 2020 – Ensuring that workers, customers and clients are protected while businesses are given a responsible schedule to resume operations are key...
PA Senate Democrats Urge Action on Legislation for Working Families, Pledge to Oppose Partisan COVID Task Force
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary use;...
Brewster: Funding for Volunteer Fire Departments Now Available
McKeesport – April 2, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the new federal stimulus program passed in response to the pandemic allows volunteer fire companies to apply for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury...
Brewster Bill Would Exempt Stimulus Funds from State and Local Tax
McKeesport – March 30, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today said he is introducing legislation that would exempt federal coronavirus stimulus funds from state and local taxation. “The idea is to immediately drive money out to those in need...
Brewster’s 6-Point Economic Stimulus Package Focuses on Workers, Small Business
Senator says state needs to fill gaps in federal aid McKeesport – March 23, 2020 – As efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 continues and federal economic plans come into view, a state stimulus effort focused on workers and small business is critical to fill gaps in...
Brewster: Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period Extended to End of Year
Harrisburg – March 19, 2020 – The deadline to apply for a property tax or rent rebate has been extended to the end of the year, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). The program is open for qualifying older citizens or residents with...
Industry Partnerships in Allegheny, Westmoreland Receive State Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) recently approved several grants to bolster economic activity in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. On March 18, PAsmart Grants were awarded for industry partnerships in Allegheny and Westmoreland...
Brewster: Security Grant Approved for White Oak Synagogue
Harrisburg – March 11, 2020 – The Gemilias Chesed Synagogue in White Oak has been awarded a $20,800 state grant to bolster security at the facility, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today. “The grant will enable the synagogue to improve...
Nearly $300,000 for Local Workforce Readiness Programs
Harrisburg – March 6, 2020 − Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that two local workforce readiness programs will receive a combined $272,856 to fund paid summer internships though the State/Local Internship Program (SLIP). The...
Brewster: $1.7 Million in School Safety Grants Approved for Local Districts
Harrisburg – February 26, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today said that $1.7 million in state school safety grants will soon be distributed to local schools. Brewster, who represents portions of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, serves as a member of the School...
Brewster Leads Effort to Reopen Bunola River Road
McKeesport – February 19, 2020 – The Bunola River Road that services Elizabeth and Forward Townships, Elizabeth Borough and West Elizabeth that was closed to traffic in late January has now reopened following the installation of traffic signals, state Sen. Jim...
Brewster Salutes McKeesport’s Swin Cash’s Selection to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
McKeesport – February 11, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today said he is thrilled with McKeesport’s Swin Cash’s selection to the 2020 Class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Cash, who starred at McKeesport High, was an integral member...
Brewster Says No Tax Increase, State Budget Proposal is Solid
Spending plan invests in school safety, pushes charter school funding reform Harrisburg – February 4, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today said that Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2020-21 state budget plan is a solid spending framework...
Brewster Working with PennDOT to Safely Reopen Bunola River Road
McKeesport − January 30, 2020 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) is working with officials from the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to reopen Bunola River Road. Brewster said the road will reopen once a new temporary signal and...
Brewster: Mental Health Funding, Programs and Services Must be a Budget Priority
Harrisburg – January 24, 2020 – One of the General Assembly’s leading advocates for expanding mental health programs, services and funding said today that this year’s state budget must make mental health a priority. State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland)...
PAsmart Grants Approved for Area Schools, Brewster says
Harrisburg – January 22, 2020 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D – Allegheny/Westmoreland) said that $280,000 in PAsmart science and technology grants have been awarded to school districts in the area. “Our students are growing up in a technological world that is advancing at an...
Brewster to Chair McKeesport Housing Authority for 30th Year
HARRISBURG, January 21, 2020 – The McKeesport Housing Authority will be led for the 30th straight year by state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). “It has been my privilege to lead the housing authority over the last 30 years,” Brewster said. “We have...
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